2013/04/22

Roi Tov: Sharp Shift in Isreal's Strategy!

Few foreign leaders participated in Margaret Thatcher's funeral. Most allies of the UK sent mid range delegations, after all, few would like to be defined as Thatcherists. Even Prime Minister Cameron, when asked for the justification for the expensive funeral, similar to the one awarded to Winston Churchill, said that she had been the first female Prime Minister, avoiding to mention any of her monstrous actions. The sumptuous event was planned years ago, by Thatcher herself and a crypto Thatcherist, Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Big Ben was silenced during the event, but the bestial bells of fanatic ultra nationalism rung stronger than ever. A clear exception was Israel, which sent its Prime Minister and his Third Lady to the event. A wobbling Netanuyahu, who recently lost his place in the 2013 Time 100 most influential people to his #2, won't miss State funerals. Who knows? Strange accidents happen in Israel, as Yitzhak Rabin, Ariel Sharon and others can't testify. Sharp Shift Only yesterday, I commented on a self censorship of Hebrew media, that caught me by surprise. Yet, not everything is censored in Israel. Large military moves and substantial arrivals of military items from abroad enter this category. What is the point of censoring what everyone watching the Israeli ports can easily discover? What is the point of censoring the existence of a major drill, when troops can be seen moving unexpectedly? Thus, Israel discloses such information, hoping to stop the disclosure of secret details. This is not the only dramatic change. In 1992, following the Gulf War, Israel upgraded ots Aga, Hebrew acronym for Civil Defense, with the Home Front Command, its commander was upgraded from brigade general to major general. Over the years, the Command grew incredibly, absorbing funds that were needed for the air force. The mew Command was highly criticized by its disastrous performance during the 2006 War between Israel and Hezbollah. Yet, the problems went beyond its performance. Israel got clumsy. Aga worked under the Civilian Defense Law, which was inherited by the Home Front Command. A related organization is Israel Police, which operates under the Police Order. The choice between the two, while operating in civilian area is determined by the Army Law. The choice is done by the size of the event. Massive events are operated by the Home Front Command, smaller ones by the police. Over the years, Israel created a redundancy, which is criticized by citizens unwilling to be under the army orders during an emergency. The 2006 War proved them right.